A visiting Opossum

Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I've updated. Life sure seems to fly by sometimes. They say that the older one gets the faster time goes. At this rate I think I'll be going at jet speed before too many years go by.

We had some excitement at our house the other day. I looked out the window and was surprised to see our cat, Kip, patiently following a slow moving animal. I informed the troups and we rushed out to see what we could see. The animal steadily walked and by the time we got there was starting up a small tree. With the camera, I was able to zoom a closer picture. It was an opossum! I hadn't realized an opossum's face was so white. It was a blast. Rosie, the dog, and Kip waited and waited for the possum to move but I think he or she outwaited us all.

What's New?

Dot and Deer have been learning a new skill - making bead rings. They have turned out so cute and are fun to wear.

We've been watching the Olympics - especially the skating. Way to go! Sasha Cohen!! She had an awesome performance last night and is now in first place for the short program. I can't wait to see the long program. I feel nervous for her.

Because of watching the Olympics which is typically over about 10:30 we have all been sleeping in! Dessert slept in until 11:15 the other day. Kinda switching our schedule around a little but makes it nice for evening activities because the kids are still awake and not exhausted. I can't wake them up early or I'm sure we'd have to deal with the "sick" thing. The Sleep factor is a medical fact! Got it documented on Creation Moments. :-) I know it's not a cure-all but sounds good when one is tired and wants to sleep in. :-)

Last night we went to a couple of basketball games at the Christian School near here. The kids had a blast and both games were so close! We won one and lost one. I think Duke and Dessert mostly liked the food stand. :-) Deer got to play a short scrimmage during half-time of the girl's game. She was a little at lost of what to do - she is still new to the basketball thing - but she got out there!! :-) Drum and Dime got to play a short scrimmage during half-time of the boy's game. They both got a chance to make a shot (no score) and had a blast hustling!! Was so fun to see them out there. A totally new experience for the three and me. :-)

Papa W was a hoot as all the hollering bothered his one good ear!! I couldn't believe it. Here is a gentleman deaf in one ear and the hollering is bothering him. He said at times even his deaf ear hurt!! I guess they aren't used to so much noise at their house. :-) We'll have to send up ALL the grandkids more often.

Dessert was a hoot himself the other day. We had stopped at Gpa & Gma K's house and Papa wasn't there so Dessert asked Gma where her Dad was? :-) Yep, my mom still does look young. :-)

We had company Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday. We have had a blast and feel like social lites. I love having people over. We are having a quiet day at home today. Except Dot, she has ballet. Then Awana tonight.

Dot starts up preparation for her last speech tournament in March. She enjoyed the total break for a week or so. She's enjoyed catching up on some computer and reading time.

Uncle J's coming home for a long weekend in March!! We are all looking forward to seeing him!

Only a little over 5 weeks til P & D's baby boy is due!!!!! Yeah!!!!! I can't wait to hold him....

This weekend is Drum & Dime's Awana Derby. They have been working hard on their cars. I will publish a finished picture when they are done. Deer is working on hers for her Derby in March.

The girls will miss seeing them race as they will be on their way to WI for a Girl's Stampin' Weekend!! We are looking so forward to going! I'm getting a kick out of thinking of Dunk doing the Awana Derby and Church by himself with 4 boys. :-) I hope no one gets lost... :-) Don't worry - Gma & Gpa W will be keeping him and the kids in line - translate that to making sure Dessert is not lost. :-)

We got our taxes done!!! Na-na-na-na-na-na! :-)

Found out today that every hair follicle produces hair for 2-5 years than rests for 4-6 months. As humans grow older the resting time gets longer. So the reason some people are bald when they are older is because the hair spends more time resting than it used to. Wake up, Hair!!

Happy Valentine's Day, etc. :-)

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!!
We spent ours sleeping in and then finishing up school for the day. The kids has a blast opening their cards from G&GK and devoring the candy - some didn't quite make breakfast first - oh, well. It took Dime until 5 o'clock to figure out today was really Valentine's Day. I guess I didn't do a whole lot to prepare for the day and make it seem special. Sat and Mon kinda stole the show. Dunk filled in by coming home from evening school with surprise Valentine treats and small gifts for the girls. Yeah!! They all went right to sleep on their sugar high. :-) Any day is great that starts with sugar and ends with sugar!

Saturday was the St. Cloud Speech Tournament. It went very well but was a busy, long day. Dot gave her humurous interp. speech 3 times and spent several rounds as a timer. Daisy did registration, judged one round of the junior tournament, then worked in the Tab room til the meet was over. It was fun to learn what goes on behind the scenes. Bed felt so sweet on Saturday night. Mmmmm....

Monday we went skiing!!! Dot, Drum, & Dime got to go skiing for the very first time with Papa K., Dunk, & Daisy - who haven't skied in ages. The kids did fantastic! Of course, Dime went down the bunny hill a couple times and was like, ok, that was fun, now lets go to the black diamond hills! They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was fun to get to make that memory with them. The old folks did fine as well. We are a little stiff and sore from the unused muscles complaining but nothing a little massage (hint, hint) wouldn't help. It was sure a blast!

Deer had her first experience at a Christian school. She went with her friend, A., on Monday. She sat by her in the classroom and got to join in on the activities for the day. She said it was fun and she would love to do it again but she didn't learn much, so didn't think it was the best place for her to go to school. :-) I was nervous besides being eager for her to go because I was worried that she would love it too much. I filled her in that some days are more fun than others and that if she went she would obviously do more learning. She is ahead in her math so that seemed easy for her and then it was a spelling test day and play rehearsal day, etc. She loved phy. ed. :-) and seeing her friend! No way, I'd send my easiest student for someone else to get the credit. I have to have some motivation to keep homeschooling even if it wasn't me that made her that way. I'm glad she got the opportunity to see what a classroom is like and learn a little of what it is like for her friend at school.

Dessert is going through a "only Mommy can do it for me" stage. I think it is because of being gone so much last week. I drove for ballet on Wed, then Awana wed night, then speech club Thurs night, the Speech Tournament on Sat, then skiing on Mon. He'll have time to make it up as there is no speech club this week and the rest of the week is very quiet. I think everyone is enjoying seeing each other again.

I've been busy working on some new earrings. I really wish I could find someone interested in selling them for me. Not a store as then I have to spend time making a cute label, but someone person to person. I really enjoy the hobby. It is fun to create new earrings. Some I make I really hope they don't sell! I have sold a number to friends at church which is fun. We will have to see what happens to the new set...

TTFN - Ta, Ta, For Now

Kip

Good Morning. My name is Kip. I'm the adored and beloved cat of the household. Let me know if you want my autograph and I will consider your requests on Tuesdays.

Ears, Basketball, Culture Weekend

Today we went and checked out Dime's ears. Turned out wax was the culprit for the ear whistling and popping. He got it cleaned out and is fine. He has tubes so was worried about them. Duke on the other hand has fluid in his ears - which we suspected based on his lack of hearing. He will have a hearing test in a couple of weeks and see whether it has cleared up.

Deer was able to get new tennis shoes for basketball which begins on Saturday. She and Duke will be in the 1-3rd grade group. Drum and Dime will be in the 4-6th grade group. Everyone is eager for a new adventure except for Duke. He just generally is not eager to try any type of class activity. I think he worries it will be too boring or require to much sitting or maybe he just doesn't like being away from home. He had such a fit about Awana week after week that we finally decided that he needs a little more time. He has no problem doing the memorization and seemed to love the stories and play time but he just didn't want to go and be away from Dad and Mom. So we set him to memorize at home and he is much more cheerful on Wednesdays. We decided to have Duke give it a go for two weeks. If he still really, really hates it, then we will wait a few years. The boys are trying to convince him how fun it will be.....

We get a break this week from Speech Club. As much as we enjoy it, it is nice to have a break. Dot's next Speech Meet is Feb. 11.

Friday we heard that our local Christian School was putting on the play, "Sarah, Plain and Tall". We decided to take all the kids and it was a FUN night. They all did well and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. There were a number of kids in it that our kids knew from church which really added to the treat. Very inspiring to watch the kids' acting abilities and to see such an excellent story in play form.

Saturday we went to an AWESOME concert with my folks. It featured Monroe Crossing and was introduced by the Bisteadou family. The B family was a TREAT!! The two girls, 16 and 11, played the violin like it was literally a toy. They were a blast to listen to and fun to watch in the interaction of the family. We really hope to see them again. The Monroe Crossing group was excellent as well and it was an evening well spent.

Sunday we took the kids to see "The End of the Spear". We covered the little one's eyes over the intense parts. The scenery was beautiful and it was fun to open the kids eyes to the fact that there are other cultures so totally different than there own. What a testimony to the power of God in one's life and the power of purpose. Those families had a clear purpose for their life. It has made me really think about what are God's purposes for our family. Dunk and I borrowed the documentary from a friend and are looking forward to watching it and spending more time discussing it.

As you can tell, we have had a cultural weekend. Play, Concert, Movie all in ONE weekend!! Whew. I think we are going to need a week to recover. Not from the fun but all the laundry! :-)

A Sledding Scrape, a Quote, an Update.

Yesterday Dessert got a scrape on the cheek sledding! The sledding hill has become glazed ice and despite warnings, he decided to go over the jump with his little sled and the boys say he flew up and down and tipped and scraped his cheek. Drum and Dime pulled him in big sled back to the house entertaining him so that he would not think about his owie. Drum came in first while Dime kept him laughing and told me that Dessert had an accident and it looked pretty bad but that he was ok, but he was warning me so that I wouldn't make a big deal and Dessert would cry again. I appreciated the boys sensitivity towards Dessert and the warning. Dessert came in laughing and told me about the scrape. I tried to wipe a little of the blood off but that was a mistake because as soon as he saw the blood he started crying. Then it took a video and food to get his mind off himself.

The skating rink was ruined by the warm weather and then wet snow. Bummer!! We will mourn the loss until next season. Sledding and snowboarding have become the favorite pastimes.

I have to add a quote by Dime the other day while he was doing his schoolwork. To preface, let me say he Hates getting a red mark on his school work unless it is an OK at the top of the page or a big 100%. I've tried to explain , etc. but he still worries about them and I still don't. :-) He usually gets none wrong on his math as he is careful to ask questions about an answer he is unsure about until he is pretty sure it is the right answer. Well, anyways, he had gotten three wrong. Count them!! Three!!!! He was flabbergasted and upset. He took a look at the problems and said, "These aren't wrong, they're just misunderstandings." Dot told him "Big Deal. Mom just x'd every misunderstanding on your page." Oh, Brother!! :-)

Dunk's new business is starting to get it's feet off the ground. We are still discussing a final name for it. After two weeks temp job with his sheet metal work we are back on the list and waiting for God's timing on a job. Meanwhile, he is busy preparing his office and car for his new business. He has had about 5 service calls on oil furnaces and the other accounts should be arriving this week. He has an agreement with a gentleman who is retiring. His accounts will be transferred to Dunk and they will do a so-much-per-call reimbursement for a couple years. We were absolutely thrilled with this as it was a no-money-down deal. Perfect for our situation. The gentleman has been very helpful with explaining things Dunk doesn't understand or know completely how to deal with. Dunk will continue his night classes Jan 10th and this access to the teacher for questions will help as well. Plus the fact that he is continuing to learn more about service work. We need to get out a letter and business card or magnet to all the accounts when they arrive and to do that we need to finalize on the name for the company and finish that paperwork. Each step is a process in a busy family and we are praying for peace for God's timing and continued guidance in each step.

More Christmas Pictures

Here are a few pictures. Dot was keeping a steady log so that thank you notes would be easier to do. Dessert opening a gift. Everyone watching Grandma open a gift. A unique photo gift made by Aunt J. How long a kid's face looks when he has to wait for his turn to open a present. He was very patient. :-)

Merry Christmas at G&GK!

Merry Christmas 2005! We had food, gifts, entertainment, and even a new photographer! (cousin L with her own little camera). Uncle P brought snowmobiles and we hardly saw the bigger kids unless it was for mealtime or gift time. Then they played with their Narnia toys and leggos when it was dark. It was amazingly quiet in the house for so many kids (7 boys!). The grownups enjoyed visiting with a few games thrown in for good measure.

Merry Christmas at G&GW

Merry Christmas 2005! We had a fun evening at G&GW. Uncle B. arrived in a Santa suit! I don't think Dessert knew who he was until his glasses, beard, and hat came off. :-) The kids had a blast and were blest by the gifts they received. It was fun to get to spend time together.

Christmas Breakfast

We had a special breakfast on Saturday after which we gave the kids our gift to them. The kids made faces on their pancakes. Eggs for hair, bacon for mouth, choc. chips for eyes. They were delicious! I've just put on some of their faces. We gave the kids a picture of their name done in a verse. Dunk and I found the hardest part was finding the right verse that we liked and that would also work well with the name. Example: That the Man of God mAy be complete, thoRoughly equipped for every good worK. See the name in there? We lined up the name so that it ran down the center of the page and then fit the verse in. I did the writing. It was fun to find the verse for each child. We got the idea from a friend who did it for me when she and I were teenagers. I'd love to post a picture of them but didn't think that made much sense when one tries to consistently use nick-names. :-)

Cookie Baking - Mmmm..

On Friday before Christmas, the kids had a blast with L., the kids former tutor, and her Mom baking cookies. They turned out delicious! L then went sledding with the kids while the Mom's worked on gingerbread. Thanks!!

Deer's Decorated Cupcake

How would you like to eat all those toppings!!

Happy Birthday Deer!!

Today Deer is 9! Yesterday she celebrated with friends and family.
She sledded with the girls, beaded matching bracelets, and just enjoyed her friends company. The girls decorated their own cupcakes. Then in the evening the Grandparents came over for pizza and a cat cake. Deer's cat, Kip, has been with her for 2 years now. Kip was a present on her 7th birthday. We are so grateful to God for Deer!! Deer is wearing the Lucy costume from Narnia.

Sunday School Program

Today was the kid's annual Sunday School Program. Our kids were in the choir. Dessert was doing sign language to "Away in a Manger". (Mom is his teacher.) Duke was our wiggly one on stage this year. He kept Mom busy with trying to catch his eye and help him keep his wiggles still. We sure appreciated the time all those dear Sunday School teachers spent with our crew.

Tractor in the Pond

Yesterday was an interesting day..... In the morning I asked Papa W if he could clear the ice with his tractor. We had a TON of snow on our skating rink on the pond. Gramma was nervous about it but pretty soon Papa was out on the tractor on the pond. He worked for over an hour clearing snow and was in the far corner of the pond when IT happened - Thalunk - and Papa's tractor was axle deep in the pond. We found there was a spring in that corner of the pond and that was why it probably couldn't take the weight of the tractor. BUMMER!! After a lot of work trying to get the tractor out, they called a wrecker and it got it out easy as pie. The blessing of the day was that when Gramma went to pay their friend for his wrecking service, he refused payment. Wow. We are praying for God to bless him but it sounds like that is what is already happening because he said God was blessing his business lately so he passed on the money. Thanks, Lord!

Drum's New Website

Drum has a new website at www.xanga.com/dog_dude11

A Field Trip to Cabella's

Papa and Gramma K, Uncle P, Little L, and our crew visited Cabella's today. We had a blast seeing all the animals and trying out bows and arrows in the archery division. The kids thought the elephant and African animals were awesome. It was so nice that the animals didn't move and you could just sit and study them up close. We got to finish with lunch at McDonald's!! A fun, filled day!!

More Gingerbread Photos

Here are more pictures of the finished products. It was a blast!! We decided to not save them so long that they were no good to eat so we have devoured about 90% of them. :-) Mmmmm...... The gingerbread was delicious!! We still have a little left. It takes a while to eat 3 Huge gingerbread houses. :-)

Gingerbread Creations

The Children had a blast at the home of friends making Gingerbread Houses. Here are the boys hard at work and Two of the finished houses.

Star Wars Fans!

Deer as Leah
Drum as Obi-Wan
Dessert as Yoda
Dime as Anakin
Duke as Luke Skywalker

Star Wars Fans

The Great Hunters!

In Kansas

Figured out how to add Pictures!

Busy Days, Narnia, Left-handed, Left Behind, Skating

The way our calendar looks, one would think we were not too busy. The way the days pan out though! Whew! Monday was supposed to be a quiet day - school, Dot had ballet which I was driver for. A few phone calls later and we were scrambling to get school done. Deer was absolutely thrilled that her two girlfriends were coming over to play!! Duke got to have his playmate over as well. And, yippee!, so did I. We got to visit in the midst of tying skates and making cookies for the crew. Then Dot's friend and her mom came over to work on speech stuff, Grandma dropped off the mail, We listened to Joy's speech and then everyone left to their respective homes while, Deer, Dot, Dot's friend, and I flew out the door for ballet. Whew!! Poor guys, I didn't leave them much for supper. They made do. Was worth the hustle though for the friendships.

We are planning to go see Narnia on Friday!! We read the book aloud and the kids have been saving and working up the hill. We can hardly wait. Dobson had an excellent show on it on Monday. We checked out the website and it is definitely sparking our interest. I hope to have my camera back to take pictures of the event. :-)

My camera is with our pastor at church. It needed counseling. Just kidding. Dunk and I were invited by friends to an event at our church. Thanks friends!! Naomi Carroll sang and there was a delicious dinner. We had a WONDERFUL time. Naomi had 12 volunteers come up with promises of a CD if they were good. Then she lined them up and gave them a paper. They had to perform actions to the song, "A Partridge in a Pear Tree". It was hilarious!! I happened to realize that my camera will shoot a short video clip, which I did. It caught the whole group in action and so I quietly shared the video clip with Pastor who will be able to share it publically next Sunday. I can't wait!!

I think Dessert is definitely left handed. He has been using his left hand exclusively for the last month or more when doing his "school-work". He is getting stronger with it and making straighter lines. This will be interesting as I've never taught a left-handed student how to write before. Guess never too old to learn something new. He inherits it from his Grandpa W. I won't be as mean a teacher as Papa's first teacher was though!

Dot and I have been reading the "Left Behind" series. She is on book 11 and I am waiting to start book 13 as soon as we get it from the library. WOW is it a good series. I have learned so much about Revelation that I feel like I'm taking a Bible study not reading a novel series. I passed Dot up in reading with a few very, very late nighters. :-) Apollyon is scary reading in the middle of the night. :-)

No word on Dunk's job yet. Keep praying for us. We continue to work on stuff around the house and work on leads. We believe God has His timing for us and want to stay with it. It has been an interesting learning process as we seek what He wants, not just grabbing for jobs to bring in money. Is definitely bringing us to our knees.

The ice on the pond turned out beautiful this year! The kids have been skating every day. I'm proud of the work they did shoveling it. The water was up when it froze so it is the biggest we've had. Anna is trying out figure skates this year (Jerry usually puts everyone in hockey skates) so that she can try and copy the pros. :-) We keep collecting skates from Goodwill so everyone just switched to their older siblings skates and we found enough for everyone to have skates with extra for trying to get some on friends when they come over and don't have a pair. We would love to put up cmas lights around the pond so that we could have skating parties at night. Just need to think ahead of time to pound some posts in before it freezes. Next year!! Not really on the top priority list to get done. :-)

Well, better get those kids moving for school. Dunk and Drum are at Menards. Hope you have a good day!!